This is a blog that shares our life on the farm, and our homeschooling adventures. BEST VIEWED IN GOOGLE CHROME.

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Fire Department and higher scores

It is official. Emily is now an official fire cadet for our local fire department. We live in a rural (very rural area). We have one fire department that covers both town (under 3,000 in population) and this part of the ruual county area. All members, except for the chief are volunteers. Our department has a cadet program for youth 8-18. Emily is one of about 3 or 4 cadets. To be a cadet the kids have to have a B grade average or higher and attend the training sessions, which are generally held weekly. Last night she was issued her bunker gear. She will respond to fire calls with JD (who is a full fledged fire fighter/EMT). She will get her own pager also, but they didn't have one available last night.

I, am now a member of the rehab team. The rehab team has a bus that goes to fires. The bus is loaded with snacks and water for the fire fighters, some medical equipment and operates as a rest station. We also monitor the fire fighters vital signs during an event and help back up the local ambulance district. In a few months we will have also completed the first responder training which is a step down from an EMT.

A few posts ago, I shared a letter that discussed test score results with homeschool vs traditional/private/public school students. A question was asked why homeschoolers general score higher.

There are several answers to this question.

First, is the student to teacher ratio. I don't have 26-30 students in my class room. I normally have 3, sometimes a few more if homeschooling friends are visiting. Less students means more time to devote to them.

Secondly (tying in with the first reason) is since we are smaller, we don't move on to the next concept until we understand the first one. In a traditional setting, the teacher moves on, despite the fact one or more of the students don't grasp the concept. She can not afford to slow down as it will put the rest of the class behind. In a homeschool setting, you keep doing it until you get it right.

Third, you can adjust your lesson for the students learning style. Some students are visual learners. Others are hands on. You can have one read about it while another watches a video about it.

Forth-time is saved that can be spent doing further learning. We don't waste time waiting in line to go from class to class or to lunch, taking lunch counts, attendance, bathroom breaks and time to pack and unpack backpacks. As a subteacher, I can tell you that almost 1/4 to 1/3 of a traditional day is spent doing these things. We also have the time then to do other activities, such as Emily participating in the fire cadet program, or the girls observing/intering in my cousins vetinary clinic.

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About Me

I'm a mom, currently homeschooling 2 of our 3 daughters still living at home, & stepmom to 2 who have already left home. We also have 3 toddlers we watch part time. Our 5 girls include 2 sets of twins.
This is our 5th year of homeschooling. We farm- have cows, horses, ducks, pigs, chickens, rabbits, dogs,cats & fish. We plant a garden & can & freeze our food. We have 2 stocked ponds, an orchard, & vineyard. Each year we try to expand. Our goal to be more of a homesteading family than a farm family.
My husband works fulltime outside of the home, & is a fire fighter, both paid and volunteer; I work at home. In addition, I also subteach & teach once a week.
I write part time & and sell articles to both print & online publications. I also own a business that teaches CPR, First Aid, babysitting 101, & more. In order to continue to be a stay at home mom (for the most part) I am always researching new ways to be frugal. My hobbies include sewing, reading, baking, needle work, gardening, camping & genealogy, volunteer firefighting & EMT.

My family tree

Genealogy is one of my favorite hobbies. I can spend hours in the library, at cemeteries or on the computer researching and inputting information into my software “Family Tree Maker”. Names in my tree that I am researching include (but are not limited to and of course have various spellings): Espey, also spelled Aspey, Shinabarger, Gray, Hough, Haynes, Lay, Cox, Miller, Lynn, French, Neukommer, Williams, Edgerton, Moore, Baldwin, Hall, Yoder, Rothman, Chadwick, Richards, Brey, Updike, Pierson and more.

A cousin has traced the line back to Austria. I have worked on lines in MO, IN, OR and PA.

If someone needs a grave photo that is located near Clinton Co, Nodaway Co or Johnson Co in Missouri, I can take a digital photo and send it to you for a $20 fee (mainly for my gas). You will get faster response for Clinton Co as that is where I live.

Prayer requests

Our family, as we deal with the loss of Debbie from cancer.

those without jobs

Caleb W

IDES teams as they work in Joplin MO

Daryl Burchetts' family, Daryl passed away from cancer.

Kori-a 16 year old that has been fighting cancer off and on the last several years.

Monette A. (a local homeschooling Christian mom with cancer)

Bryn (recovering from a heart transplant)

Those in or with family in Japan. Japan has disappeared out of the news, but there are still many who are homeless.

Our president

our soldiers away from home and their families here at home

our economy

our youth--our future! May we train them and teach them the way they should be taught

Joplin MO. We have friends who live here. One (Doug) completely lost EVERYTHING. Another, Faith Dunn, lost her life. Our family along with area homeschoolers have volunteered in Joplin and are planning to return.

Soap & Misc recipes

Automatic Dishwasher Soap

Add equal parts of 20 Mule Team Borax and Arm & Hammer Super Washing Soda (not baking soda!). Stir together until well mixed.
A normal dishwasher will use 2 tablespoons per load